The State Bar of Texas, the Texas Access to Justice Commission, the American Bar Association, and others proudly support the celebration of National Pro Bono Week (Oct. 20-26). Pro Bono Week is an opportunity to educate the public about the good work the legal community is doing to improve the lives of vulnerable Texans and to encourage more individuals in the legal community to get involved in pro bono support of the legal system. Today, we are featuring Sandy Fusco for her invaluable work in the Dallas legal community.

Sandy Fusco is an associate in the commercial litigation section at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Earlier this year, she worked as the Weil Gotshal Lend-a-Lawyer full time at Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program for three months while her firm continued to pay her salary. She assisted with client interviews at several clinics, including South Dallas, West Dallas, the veterans clinic, and wills clinics, and worked on a variety of contested matters including probate, divorce, child custody, paternity, and consumer cases.

Currently, she is representing a father who is trying to obtain custody of his son and successfully obtained a temporary restraining order preventing the mother from placing the child up for adoption against her client’s wishes. In addition, the father was able to visit his newborn son in the hospital thanks to Fusco’s legal assistance.

“Working as Weil’s Lend-a-Lawyer to DVAP was absolutely fantastic,” Fusco said. “I really appreciate the courtroom experience and direct client contact I have gotten. But the best part is making a difference in my clients’ lives.”

Show You Care: If your firm would like to learn how it can contribute to the pro bono community, please contact the State Bar of Texas Legal Access Division at (800) 204-2222, ext. 1855, or probono@texasbar.com.